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Thursday, 7 April 2011

SWAZI PM BANS APRIL 12 UPRISING

Barnabas Dlamini, Swaziland’s illegally-appointed Prime Minister, has issued a banning order against protests due to take place on Tuesday (12 April 2011).

Dlamini warned, ‘Government will ensure that the country remains peaceful. To this end, the security forces will be deployed to maintain law and order.’

His statement issued today (7 April 2011), says that those wanting to protest had not been given permission to do so. He said in Swaziland, ‘any strike or protest action must be registered and given permission in accordance with the law’.

He went on, ‘Government has now learned that the formations in question have not complied with the procedures and notices prescribed by the relevant legislation. This then renders the protest action illegal. We do not, therefore, expect any individual to participate in any such proposed protest action.

‘Government accordingly strongly warns those organizing, and intending to participate in, the protest action to refrain from doing so and continue in their normal day-to-day business.’

The Swaziland Coalition of Concerned Civic Organisations (SCCCO) was quick to condemn the government action.

‘We note with concern the extra-judicial nature of this order and that the PM has once again shown disregard for the court processes that had not been completed at this time. His actions can only be seen to be deliberately provocative and contrary to good sense and sensible governance,’ it said.